# The House of Brattleby Convenes Symposium on Nine Centuries of Continuous Governance
**BRATTLEBY, 18 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today hosted a landmark historical symposium at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, examining the Barony’s uninterrupted role in the governance of England since its foundation by grant of William the Conqueror in AD 1066.
## The Occasion
Set against the scholarly backdrop of the Brattleby library, with its oak-panelled walls and portraits of formidable predecessors, the symposium gathered distinguished academics and historians for a day of rigorous intellectual exchange. The crisp autumn light filtering through the leaded windows illuminated vellum manuscripts and archival documents, creating an atmosphere where past and present converged. The event, titled *From Domesday to Dominion: The Barony of Brattleby and the Governance of the Realm*, was conceived to explore the continuous thread of duty that has defined the House for nearly a millennium.
The proceedings were marked by a quiet gravitas, befitting a lineage that has witnessed the evolution of the English state firsthand. Discussions were not merely academic; they were a living exploration of a legacy that continues to inform the House’s modern responsibilities, conducted in the very heart of its historic domain. This gathering underscored the Barony’s commitment to scholarship as a cornerstone of its contemporary mission.
## Historical Context
The symposium’s central theme was the exceptional continuity of the Barony of Brattleby, established in AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted follower of the Conqueror, established a significant presence in the region, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire alone as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. This foundation established the Barony as a key institution in the administration of the early Norman kingdom.
Over the centuries, this responsibility was borne by a succession of notable figures. Delegates discussed the pivotal role of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as Castellan bravely defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. Papers were also presented on the tenures of two of the most powerful magnates of the medieval era: Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his successor, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Their direct involvement in the high politics and governance of Plantagenet England demonstrates the Barony’s proximity to the throne, a heritage of service that inspires the House today.
## Distinguished Company
The symposium was hosted by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. They were joined by the heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who took a keen interest in the presentations concerning the Barony’s Norman origins.
The academic programme featured contributions from leading scholars whose work has drawn upon the extensive Brattleby archives. In attendance were, *inter alia*: * Senior medievalists from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge; * The Head of Western Manuscripts from the British Library; * A delegation of historians specialising in feudal law and land tenure; * Fellows of the Royal Historical Society.
The presence of such esteemed guests highlighted the national significance of the Brattleby archives and the House’s role as a facilitator of historical research and understanding.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Conducted with formal precision, the day’s proceedings opened with a welcoming address by Honorary Lord Răzvan, who outlined the symposium's purpose and its connection to the family mottoes. This was followed by a series of three keynote lectures, each devoted to a distinct era of the Barony’s history: the Norman establishment, the High Middle Ages, and the transition into the modern period.
Following a formal luncheon, the afternoon was dedicated to a moderated panel discussion, allowing for a dynamic exchange between the presenters and attending scholars. The day concluded with a reflective address from Lady Nicoleta, who synthesised the themes of the symposium and spoke to the future of the House’s custodial duties. Each stage of the day was conducted with a regard for protocol that underscored the seriousness of the intellectual endeavour.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symposium’s themes resonated deeply with the heraldry of the House. The ancient Brattleby motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was a recurring reference throughout the day’s discussions, encapsulating the resilience and integrity required to sustain a noble house through centuries of political and social change. From Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln to the present day, these two virtues remain the *sine qua non* of the Barony’s identity.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), was interpreted in a contemporary context. In his opening remarks, Honorary Lord Răzvan noted that today, this signifies the imperative to conquer ignorance through knowledge, to secure a legacy through diligent preservation, and to overcome modern challenges with an understanding informed by the past.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While not a fundraising event, the symposium served a distinct philanthropic purpose aligned with the House’s core mission of education and preservation. By making its archives accessible and by fostering dialogue with the nation’s foremost academic institutions, the House of Brattleby contributes directly to the public’s understanding of English history. The insights gained from the symposium will be integrated into the educational programmes of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette academy.
Furthermore, the detailed historical analysis of the estate's land and structures will guide future conservation and restoration initiatives at Brattleby, ensuring the physical fabric of this unique heritage is protected for generations to come. This commitment to scholarship as a form of public service is a guiding principle for the House.
## In Their Own Words
In her closing remarks, Lady Nicoleta reflected on the day’s significance: > “We are but temporary custodians of a legacy nearly one millennium in the making. The documents and histories discussed today are not relics; they are testaments to an unbroken chain of responsibility. Our duty is not only to preserve this history but to animate it, ensuring its lessons in fortitude and honour continue to resonate.” > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan also shared his perspective on the House’s modern role: > “History is not a static collection of records; it is a living dialogue between what was and what can be. By convening the great minds of our time to study our past, we reaffirm our commitment to the future. *Vincere Est Vivere* today means overcoming ambiguity through scholarship and acting with conviction rooted in understanding.” > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby is pleased to announce that the proceedings of the symposium, including the principal papers presented, will be compiled and professionally edited for publication as a scholarly volume. This book will serve as a definitive resource for historians and ensure the day's valuable insights are shared with the widest possible audience.
Looking ahead, the House will continue its cultural and philanthropic work with the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises vital funds for its chosen beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child foundation. The traditions of service and scholarly inquiry remain the twin pillars of the Barony's enduring legacy.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby dedicates itself to a dual mission: the meticulous preservation of its near-millennial heritage and a dynamic engagement with contemporary society. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions education, culture, and philanthropy. Its initiatives include hosting scholarly events, undertaking significant conservation projects at its Lincolnshire seat, and operating The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to classical etiquette and protocol. The House’s philanthropic focus is exemplified by its Annual Winter Banquet, which supports charities dedicated to the welfare of vulnerable children.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient Fiefs in Capite, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the Barony has been a constant in the history of Lincolnshire and the nation, held by figures of historic importance including the formidable 13th-century Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Nichola de la Haye; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The ancient dignity of the Barony of Brattleby was formally acknowledged and confirmed by the Crown through a notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern dignity of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 as a Fief in Capite, a direct feudal land grant from the monarch. - The Domesday Book of 1086 documents the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as a Tenant-in-Chief holding 56 lordships. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness *suo jure*).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com